Compact Vertiport Layout for Simultaneous Move, Charge, and Boarding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In densely populated urban areas, the limited and expensive real estate poses a challenge for constructing traditional airports, making it difficult to efficiently utilize space for small, personal automated aircraft vertiports.
Innovation Solution
A compact vertiport system is designed with integrated landing, transition, and takeoff zones, where aircraft can be moved and charged simultaneously, allowing for passenger exchange during transport, and utilizing z-shaped or circular configurations to optimize space usage, including carts equipped with chargers to transport and recharge aircraft across transition zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional airport layouts are used, then aircraft operations can be performed, but the space required is too large for urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operational functions (landing, takeoff, battery charging, passenger exchange) into a single integrated transition zone. The transport equipment performs multiple operations simultaneously: transporting aircraft from landing to takeoff zone while charging batteries and enabling passenger exchange, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated spaces for each function and reducing overall vertiport footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The transition zone serves multiple purposes: it acts as a transport corridor for aircraft, a charging station for batteries, and an exchange area for passengers. The transport equipment is designed as a multi-functional platform that simultaneously performs transportation, electrical charging, and passenger transfer operations, maximizing space utilization efficiency
2Ease of operation
If separate zones for landing, charging, and takeoff are used, then each function can be optimized, but the total space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the charging function and passenger exchange function into the aircraft transport process itself. As the transport equipment moves the aircraft through the transition zone, it simultaneously charges the battery and facilitates passenger exchange, eliminating the need for separate dedicated zones for these functions while maintaining operational optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The transport equipment enables continuous operational flow by performing multiple functions during the aircraft's transit through the transition zone. The charging and passenger exchange occur continuously during transport rather than requiring separate stationary phases, maximizing space efficiency while maintaining functional optimization
3Reliability
If aircraft are charged after landing before takeoff, then battery readiness is ensured, but operational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport equipment charges the aircraft battery during the transport phase from landing to takeoff zone, performing the charging action in advance of the actual takeoff preparation. This preliminary charging during transit ensures battery readiness is achieved without adding separate charging time to the operational cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The charging operation occurs continuously during the aircraft's transport through the transition zone rather than as a separate stationary step. This continuous charging process maintains operational flow and reduces total cycle time while ensuring adequate battery readiness for the next flight
4Reliability
If passenger exchange occurs at stationary aircraft, then safety is maximized, but vertiport space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the passenger exchange function with the aircraft transport function. Passengers are exchanged while the aircraft is being transported through the transition zone on the transport equipment, merging two previously separate operational sequences into a single integrated process that reduces space requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient space utilization, allowing vertiports to be situated in smaller areas such as rooftops or car parking spaces, facilitating direct aircraft movement from landing to takeoff zones while charging and exchanging passengers, thereby maximizing space efficiency and reducing operational time.
Implementation Method 1
Each charger includes a power source and an electrical coupler coupled to the power source, the electrical coupler configured to couple to and supply power to the battery of the aircraft
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a compact vertiport system. The vertiport system may be efficient and compact by combining, into one space and time period, multiple activities that typically take place in different spaces and different times. For example, when an aircraft is being moved from a landing zone to a takeoff zone, the aircraft may also be charged simultaneously. Also, passenger exchange may take place while the aircraft is being moved. As a result, compact vertiport systems may fit into smaller spaces (e.g., tops of buildings, or smaller plots of land).